The Lions got quarterback Matthew Stafford back at practice on Thursday, but they are going to be without one of their starting defensive players for the next spell.

Tim Twentyman of the team’s website brings word that Lions coach Jim Schwartz announced defensive tackle Corey Williams had knee surgery earlier this week. Twentyman reports that his status going forward “week-to-week” and Williams will not play against the Vikings this Sunday. There are no details about the nature of the surgery, although the prognosis for his return suggests that it was a procedure designed to clean up an issue in hopes of keeping Williams on the field more often in the grand scheme of things.

Williams has started all three games for the Lions so far this season, picking up six tackles and two sacks as Detroit has gotten off to a 1-2 start. Williams started 31 games for the Lions over the last two seasons as well, so the team will be without one of the more significant players in their defensive line rotation.

Nick Fairley and Sammie Lee Hill will likely start seeing more time alongside Ndamukong Suh on the front for the Lions. Both players will need to hit the ground running in a game that will decide whether or not the Lions fall two games out of first in the division just four games into the season.

SLH has been playing well so far this year, there shouldn't be a major drop off in production at this spot. This is when Fairly should claim his starting spot!

This. Notice how once Corey Williams' knee started bothering him, we couldn't get any pressure. Fairley has the gifts to be a great DT, but can he grow up and work his *** off to finish with a career he'll be proud of? We'll see.